Click on the structure to specify the target of your label
![]() |
01 | ![]() |
Nasalis
Other Terms:
Musculus nasalis,
Muscle nasal
Muscle parts
Transverse part; Alar part
Latin name
Musculus nasalis
Latin muscle parts
Pars transversa; Pars alaris
Group
Branchial arch muscle – second arch (Facial muscle)
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the muscle of the nose. The word nasalis comes from the Latin nassus meaning “nose.”
Origin
Anterior surface of the frontal process of the maxilla, the transverse part of the muscle arises lateral to the nasal notch and the alar part arises just below the transverse part
Insertion
Transverse part merges with its opposite muscle and the procerus in an aponeurosis over the nasal bone. The alar part attaches to the alar cartilage of the nose.
Action
The transverse fibers of this muscle compress the nasal alar cartilages to close the nasal openings, while the alar fibers of the muscle draw the nasal alae downward and laterally to help open the external nares.
Nerve supply
Facial nerve (Cranial nerve VII)
Blood supply
Lateral nasal branch of the superior labial branch from the facial artery.
Latin
Musculus nasalis
French
Muscle nasal